"Inside Erie" newsletter reader Donna Douglas sent me an e-mail today that points to a little-known local group that is trying to do its part to reverse Erie's brain drain.

"Your newsletter today about the recent consultant report on downtown Erie and keeping and attracting people to Erie made me think I should e-mail you about this group," Douglas writes. "These efforts are part of this group’s mission but with a twist—using the arts & sciences, combined, to do so."

The group is called The Sam & ED Group of Erie. SAM & ED stands for Science, Art, Manufacturing, Engineering, Education and Design and it is an all-volunteer group that is working to pull together those in the arts and sciences to create Erie-based job opportunities.

SAM & ED is looking specifically for recent graduates interested in starting businesses and is putting out a call for a filmmaker who is interested in producing an event that marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

It's hard to know what the group will accomplish, but its efforts fall in line with some of this blog's recent discussions on brain drain and the future of Erie's downtown.